St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-06-18
OLD FIELD SPORTS.
daWking," as Used in the Chase
for Centuries.

tor Centuries.
1nsssA Dogs That Have Followed the
CAase Since the Middle Ages-The
Hawk After Its Game, the
wary Heron.
The English and Americans agree
with the ancients in according high
rank to field sports. The hunting Of
savage animals was the highest branch,
TOR not only skill and courage were
necessary. but great presence of mind
- well. But it has been left to the
moderns b most thoroughly appreciate
6eld sports. One reason is they are
better qualified to admire the successful
adaptation of a means to an end: and.
secondly, because from their prosperous
condition they are not to any extent
dependent upon the game they kill.
The forest music is to hear the hounds
Rend the thin air, and with lusty cry
Awake the drowsy echoes and confound
Their perfect language in q mingled sound.
Homer gives a most graphic descrip-
ton of an archery match. a sort of
'Old Hats" pigeon-match. between
two crack shots, Experienced Merton
and skillful Tencer.' the Osbaldistone
and Horace Ross. the DIR. Carver and
buffalo Bilr' Of this day. The target
was milk-white dove. tied by a cord
70 the top of a first-rate gallery. The
prizes were ten double-cdged war
axes to whoever killed the bird.
and ten single axes to the one who
should divide the cord. The COM
petitors drew lots and Tencer got
the first shot. dividing the cord with
. single arrow. Merton then took aim
and bagged the bird on the wing.
Unre being no reporters for the daily
prhs present at this remarkable match.
vc;shall be compelled to take Homer's
Md, unsupported. for the accuracy OF
soheetatement
h ancient times the bow, Of course,
wa6the chief implement Of war and the
chase, and BY the expertness OF the bold
arches has often decided the fate of bat
Ties and of empires. To an improve
ment of the weapon termed the cross
bow our hardy forefathers were princi-
pally indebted for their famous victories
It Agincourt. Cressy and Poltiers.
Hence the English archers became the
most renowned in all Europe. Previous
70 the invention of firearms and gun
uowder the bow formed the almost uni
yersal weapon in the forest and in the
Geld. 1t appears that the cross-bow
was introduced in England by William
the Conqueror. An act made in the
9Th year of the reign of Edward Nv.
directs that every Englishman have a
bow Of his own height. of yew. ash.
hazel. or auburn; that butts shall be
made in every township. which the in
habitants are to shoot at every feast
day under the penalty of a half-penny
when they shall omit this exercise.
Several other statutes were made in
succeeding reigns for the promotion Of
archery; and in the eighth year Of
Charles l. a commission was issued by
the King to the Chancellor. Lord Mayor
and several of the Privy Council. to
rrevent the fields near London being
inclosed. $50 as to interrupt the neces-
ssry and profitable exercise of shoot
;nc:- and also to lower the mounds
where they prevented the view from
one to another. In 1853 targets were
erected in the Finsbury fields during
Easter and Whitsun holidays. when the
hest shooter was made captain and the
second best lieutenant.
Docs were used in the chase rs far
h.ck As we have any records Of field
e,,orts. In quaint volume printed in
,seO Is found curious account Of the
varieties Of British dogs that are to be
met with in England. They are emu
,cer.ted as follows: The ''terrare,
h.r;er. bludhundc, gasehunde. gre.
hunde. leoire or lyemmer, tumbler,
sn.niel. setter. water spaniel or fynder,
.hepherd's dog, massive or band dog,
snrne spit. Ounce" The terrare i:
rrobably the progenitor Of our terrier
T i described as small kind Of hound
...,5 IN force the fox and other animal:
out Of their holes. The haricr was used
for hunting the hare. The bludhunds
~ s,uthhund was of great use and held
n high esteem among our ancestors
Mvss remarkable then as now for it
.cuteness of scent, tracing any wounded
I.rce game that had escaped the hunter
md following the trail OF the marauder
~ matter how great the distance. L
- ~ great service on the borders o
c.c.l.nd and England when the raid
- outlaws upon the herds and flock
fra,ueut and disastrous. The,
.-sre also used by Wallace and Bruce
Snring the civil wars
The gasehound was very quick an
.,tcIlicent It was able to select from
80 herd the fattest and finest deer
..rrsue it closely. and if lost for tim
Yover it and again pick it out fror
- herd which it had rejoined. Thi
.;.s is now unknown. The gre
srrd was the first in rank among dogs
.nuesrs BY the forest laws OF Canute
~ Enacted that mo person. excep
-. of the degree of gentleman
.s.n presume to keep one. which
sn.istent with the old Welsh saSin'